Category: NFL Draft (Page 15 of 101)

      Seven potential landing spots for Ponder

      April 20, 2011 /

      Peter King is the latest NFL draft observer to suggest that Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder could go in the first round, tweeting: “Eight days before the draft, this is the hot guy at the bottom of round one: FSU QB Christian Ponder.”

      But Ponder won’t be a fit for every team. His arm strength is considered to be only average and he struggles throwing the deep ball. But he has good athleticism, a high football IQ and is very accurate, making him a solid fit for the West Coast Offense. With that in mind, below are seven potential landing spots for Ponder as the draft approaches.

      Cincinnati Bengals
      The Bengals will run new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden’s version of the WCO and with the uncertainty surrounding Carson Palmer’s return next year, Ponder is a logical fit for Cincinnati. That said, the Bengals obviously aren’t going to take him with the No. 4 pick. They could trade down, but it would make more sense for them to either wait and hope he falls to them at No. 35 or trade back into the late first round and take Ponder there.

      Minnesota Vikings
      Under new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, the Vikings will run a version of the WCO with elements of the vertical passing game and strong rushing attack a la the scheme Mike Mularkey runs in Atlanta. Given some of the things that head coach Leslie Frazier has said this offseason, you get the sense that Minnesota will draft and start a rookie this season. They won’t take Ponder at No. 12 but they are a candidate to trade back into the first round.

      San Francisco 49ers
      If you read between the lines, the Niners’ game plan under new head coach Jim Harbaugh is this: Re-sign Alex Smith to a one-year deal, draft a quarterback in one of the first two rounds and groom him to start in 2012. Like many of the teams on this list, the 49ers won’t draft Ponder with their first pick (No. 7 overall) but are in position to move up into the late first round.

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      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Teams may regret passing on Ryan Mallett

      April 19, 2011 /

      When he speaks to the media, I can see why he rubs people the wrong way.

      When the rumors about his drug use in college are brought up, I can see why some draft evaluators say that they “wouldn’t touch him” if they were a NFL GM.

      But when I look at Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, I see a quarterback prospect that could potentially make a lot of teams regret passing on him in next week’s draft.

      Here’s what we know about him on the field: He has a cannon attached to his right shoulder and is a prototypical pocket passer, which is something that usually makes pro scouts drool over. At times, he has been known to struggle with his accuracy and ball placement, but when his pocket is good he will set his feet properly by getting into a wide base and will square up his target. Michael Vick he’s not, but he doesn’t have to be either.

      Here’s what we know about him off the field: He admitted to at least experimenting with drugs in college and according to one GM, Mallett was also the first quarterback ever to admit his drug usage to him during interviews. After the way he spoke to the media at the scouting combine, there are many observers who think he’s brash, cocky and arrogant. In fact, some have even gone as far as to say that he’s the next Ryan Leaf.

      Here’s what we don’t know: We don’t know what his behavior will be like once he’s a millionaire. We don’t know if his “experimenting” with drugs in college is actually a real issue and whether or not it’s actually a habit that he needs to kick. We don’t know how he’ll respond to the media on a daily basis or whether or not he can become the first quarterback who played under Bobby Petrino to succeed in the NFL. We may think we know these things, but we don’t.

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      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      2011 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Patrick Peterson to the Bills?

      April 18, 2011 /
      University of Alabama quarterback TC McCarney (8) runs for a first down past Louisiana State University cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) during their NCAA football game in Baton Rouge, Louisiana November 6, 2010. LSU won the game 24-21. REUTERS/Sean Gardner (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      It’s amazing that it’s been over a month since I last compiled a mock draft. I mean, with all of the free agency rumors flying around the web these days, I find my decision not to release an updated mock rather irresponsible.

      Oh wait, that’s right: There is no free agency. Thank YOU, NFL players and owners…you unbelievable bums.

      With a week left to go, here’s my latest crack at predicting the first round of 2011 NFL Draft. I’ll send out one final mock next week before we do the damn thing at Radio City Music Hall on April 28.

      View NFL Mock Draft 3.0

      1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
      The Panthers have been tight-lipped about who they’re taking, and they should be. Hey, it’s not like they can fire up contract talks with Newton’s agent seeing as how there’s no CBA currently in place. It’s time for the Panthers to settle on a franchise quarterback and even though there are plenty of warning signs surrounding Newton, I believe he’ll be their pick.

      2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
      The Broncos have several needs, including safety, tight end and running back. But John Fox is a defensive-minded coach and defensive tackle is arguably the team’s biggest need, making Dareus the pick here.

      3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
      Is cornerback a pressing need for the Bills? No. Was running back a pressing need for the Bills last year when they took C.J. Spiller? For the second year in a row, I think GM Buddy Nix will take the best player available, regardless of position. And seeing as how Peterson is viewed as the most complete player in the draft, I like his chances of winding up in Buffalo.

      4. Cincinnati Bengals: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
      The Bengals seem dead set on bringing back Carson Palmer, even though he seems dead set on retiring if the team doesn’t trade him this offseason. T.O. won’t be back next year and Chad Ochocinco’s days in Cincinnati are running out as well. Jones has really impressed teams this offseason with his blend of size, speed and route-running ability. Some believe he’s a better prospect than Georgia’s A.J. Green.

      5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
      Miller might be gone by this pick but if everything breaks right, I like Arizona selecting him at this spot. The Cardinals desperately lack a pass-rushing presence at the linebacker position and Miller can really get after the quarterback. So you do the math, buck-o.

      6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
      Mike Holmgren is slowly adding pieces to his West Coast Offense and it’s time for him to find his Jerry Rice. Jones would arguably be a better fit for the Browns because of his blocking ability, but Holmgren wouldn’t complain if Green fell to him here. The former Georgia product can help aid in the development of Colt McCoy.

      7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
      This team is hard to figure out. They would seemingly like to bring back Alex Smith for one year and take a QB in one of the first two rounds to groom this season. But they could always wait and draft their signal caller of the future next year. San Fran also has needs along the defensive line and at linebacker, making Nick Fairley and Robert Quinn possibilities at this pick as well. They would do back-flips if Peterson fell to them here, but with him off the board they’ll go with the next best thing in Amukamara.

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      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Mallett admitted drug use at scouting combine

      April 18, 2011 /
      Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) is chased from the pocket by Ohio State defensive lineman Cameron Hayward (97) during first half action of the 77th Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana January 4, 2011. UPI/A.J. Sisco

      In his column about character assessments, Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly writes that Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett confirmed to NFL teams during the scouting combine that he at least experimented with drugs during his college years.

      Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett — One GM said Mallett was the first quarterback ever to admit his drug usage to him in interviews, and his willingness to be honest about his past and acknowledge issues is viewed as a positive. Concerns about his history of use could impact his draft position, though. Although Mallett did not produce an official positive test at Arkansas, he has been arrested for public intoxication and carries a reputation as a “big party guy,” per sources who have interviewed him. How much teams believe he has matured will weigh into his draft status. “I would not take him at any point,” one executive not in need of a quarterback said. He still figures to be drafted in the second round.

      If I were an NFL draft evaluator I would be more concerned about his work habits than his drug use. Just because a player experimented with drugs in college doesn’t mean he’s going to be a loose cannon in the NFL. Granted, giving him millions of dollars and more free time usually only fuels young players’ appetites for partying but again, that doesn’t mean they’ll be a malcontent in the NFL. I would be more concerned if Mallett was lazy, failed to show up to meetings and practice on time, or if he generally couldn’t grasp a playbook.

      That said, I don’t blame any team for wanting to stay away from him. You invest that much money in a player, he better eat, sleep and drink football until his career is finished or else why draft him? There’s a reason why a guy like Peyton Manning is viewed as the best: because he’s willing to work at the game he loves. If teams get the sense that Mallett is the second coming of Ryan Leaf, then why bother even having him on their draft board?

      If Mallett does wind up falling into the second round, one team I’d keep an eye on is Oakland. The Raiders run a vertical offense with Hue Jackson at the helm and Al Davis doesn’t give a squat about whether or not a prospect has questionable character. Granted, quarterback isn’t necessarily a need for the Raiders but Davis has always been a guy who is attracted to big-time talent.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Report: Nick Fairley missed flight, meetings at scouting combine and Pro Day

      April 13, 2011 /
      Auburn Tigers Nick Fairley holds the championship trophy after the Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks to win the NCAA BCS National Championship college football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 10, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      More red flags are starting to emerge for Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

      According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Fairley missed his flight to the scouting combine, missed a team meeting while he was there and was late for a team interview at his Pro Day. This is a prospect that has a reputation for taking plays off, so this news won’t surprise some observers.

      You knew there was something going on when heading into the combine, Fairley was viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick and then since that point, his stock has seemingly fallen off a cliff. Granted, nobody knows what teams’ draft boards look like right now, so maybe Fairley will still go among the top 5-10 picks. But there have been more than enough reports that lead you to believe he could fall out of the top 10 because of his work ethic (or lack thereof).

      Of course the flip side of this is that Fairley is one hell of a prospect. I mean, this kid could really dominate if he’s motivated, focused and willing to put in the work. His skill set and abilities are off the charts but he doesn’t have the drive of someone like Ndamukong Suh. Or at least, that’s what the perception is and perception is often reality.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

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